Drink Recipes for a Chic Holiday Party

Warm up and chill out with these chic cocktail recipes. New York mixologist Junior Merino — winner of the StarChefs Rising Star award — created a list of stylish drinks perfect for a fashionable holiday fête.Click here for even more chic drink recipes.

Junior Merino grew up in Mexico, where his exposure to different varieties of spices, fruits, and vegetables inspired his career. He arrived in New York City at the age of 15, and after six years he earned the New York Food Handlers certification and worked his way up to bartender and manager.

At Roth's Westside Steakhouse, he developed the wine and cocktail list and designed the menus. His lists earned the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, and his cocktails were recognized as the "Best Cocktails and Sangria on the Upper West Side.

In 2005, Merino won first prize at the International Bar Show's Best Cocktail competition. In 2006, he received the StarChefs Rising Star Award.

As a certified Sommelier, Merino designed cocktail menus and trained bar staff for some of the best restaurants and bars around the world including ANA Hotel in Tokyo, The Modern Bar at the MoMA, Walt Disney Coronado Springs Resort (Rixs Lounge and Club and The Mexican Pavilion in Epcot Center), Hilton Los Cabos, Café Frida, and Rayuela.

Junior Merino founded The Liquid Chef, Inc., an international consulting, spirits education, original cocktail design, and brand development company.

He is enthusiastic about working with nonprofit organizations such as the Hedge Funds Care Foundation, Wayuu Taya Foundation, and the Slice of Latin America fundraiser.